Hair styling iron support

ABSTRACT

A hair styling iron support includes a body for enclosing the heated barrel portion of a hair styling iron. In an exemplary support, the body has an entrance leading to an interior, with the heated barrel portion contained in the interior. A cradle and a plurality of ribs engage the styling iron to maintain a space between the heated barrel and the support body.

CROSS REFERENCE

[0001] The present application is related to the commonly assigned and co-pending U.S. Design Patent application having the Attorney's Docket No. 2206.67079.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to hair styling irons including curling irons and straightening irons, and more specifically to supports for such devices.

[0003] Hair styling irons for curling, straightening or otherwise styling hair and the like are generally known in the art. Conventional curling irons typically include a handle, a heated barrel connected to the handle, and a clamping member that pivotally engages the barrel. In operation, the clamping member is opened, hair is placed between the clamping-member and the heated barrel, and the clamping member presses the hair against the heated barrel. The heat causes the side of the hair in contact with the barrel to change shape. In particular, the side of the hair in contact with the barrel tends to generally take the shape of the barrel circumference. The hair can accordingly be caused to curl. In the same general manner, curling irons with heated barrels that have a generally flat surface can be used to straighten curly hair.

[0004] A user such as an individual or a professional stylist using a curling iron may find it necessary to repeatedly put the iron down while it is in use. For example, before curling a second portion of hair, the hair may be required to be combed or otherwise adjusted. Thus, during the hair styling process, the user or stylist may be required to put down the curling iron and apply a comb or brush to this second portion of the hair.

[0005] Because the barrel of the curling iron is heated to a high temperature, contact with surfaces such as a counter top can cause damage to the surface. To address this need, it is known to provide a support stand for holding a curling iron in a generally suspended state above a flat surface. For example, the prior art includes metal curling iron stands upon which the iron may be placed. Generally the stands include a metal frame for supporting the bottom portion of a curling iron in a suspended fashion above a substrate.

[0006] Known stands, however, have unresolved problems associated with them. For example, many known stands include only one or a few cross-members for supporting the styling iron. Although these stands support the iron above a surface and thereby prevent damage to the surface, they do not provide any protection from contact with the heated barrel. An individual may accidentally brush his hand across the heated barrel, for instance, while it is in the stand. The chances of this occurring increase during the iron warm-up period prior to use. Additionally, styling irons are generally AC powered and have an AC cord connected to them. There is a hazard that the cord may be kicked when the iron is in the stand, with the result that the heated iron could fall with the stand, or become disengaged from the stand. Also, use of many known stands does not provide for convenient portability of just used curling irons during cool down. That is, a user must typically place a heated curling iron after use in the stand and wait for it to cool down before placing it in permanent storage or packing it for travel.

[0007] Unresolved problems in the art therefore remain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The above-identified needs are addressed by the present support for a hair styling iron. In particular, an invention embodiment is a hair styling iron support that includes a support body defining an interior, with the interior configured to substantially enclose at least a portion of the styling iron. When the styling iron portion is contained in the interior, a space is defined between the portion of the styling iron and the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective of an exemplary embodiment of a hair styling iron support of the invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of the exemplary hair styling iron support of FIG. 1 with a curling iron held therein;

[0011]FIG. 3 is an end view of the exemplary curling iron support of FIG. 1 taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 and in the direction generally indicated;

[0012]FIG. 4 is a side view of the exemplary curling iron support of FIG. 1 taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1 and in the direction generally indicated; and

[0013]FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the exemplary hair styling iron support of FIG. 1 taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1 and in the direction generally indicated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Turning now to FIGS. 1-5, an exemplary curling iron support shown generally at 10 has a support body 12 that generally defines an interior 14. It is contemplated that the present support 10 may be used with a variety of hair styling irons including but not limited to curling and straightening irons. For simplicity, however, only a curling iron is discussed in detail below. The body 12 includes a sidewall 16 that has a rear end defining an entrance 18 to the interior 14, a front cap 20 distal from the entrance 18, a top portion 22 and a bottom portion 23. Generally, the interior 14 is defined by the sidewall 16, the cap 20, and the entrance 18. Also, the body 12 generally narrows from the entrance 18 to the front cap 20.

[0015] As shown by FIG. 2, a curling iron 24 is shown operationally engaged in the support 10. The body interior 14 is configured to contain a portion of the curling iron 24, and most preferably a heated barrel portion 26, with a curling iron handle portion 28 remaining outside of the interior 14. When considering FIG. 2, it will be appreciated that the curling iron 24 is not a part of the present support 10, but has been illustrated to better describe an environment for use of the present support. The sidewall 16 surrounds the perimeter of the heated barrel portion 26 along substantially its entire length, and is contracted and arranged to retain the barrel portion and define a space 30 between the heated barrel portion and the sidewall 16. The substantially total containment of the heated barrel 26 provided by the support 10 provides an advantageous barrier to accidental contact. It is preferred that the majority, if not the total barrel 26 is enclosed within the body 12.

[0016] The space 30 is maintained by supporting the curling iron 24 at least at two points. In the preferred embodiment this support is achieved with a curling iron cradle 32 near the support entrance 18, and by engaging a front grip 34 of the curling iron 24 with a plurality of engaging ribs 36 in the support interior 14 proximate to the cap 20. The space 30 is beneficial to promote cooling of the heated barrel portion 26 by ensuring that it is surrounded by air for cooling, as well as to prevent damage to the sidewall 16 by preventing contact between the sidewall 16 and the barrel 26. Thus, the iron 24 may be placed in the support 10 during the pre-styling warm-up period.

[0017] The cradle 32 has a generally arcuate-shaped engaging edge 38 that generally mates with a portion of the bottom perimeter of the curling iron handle 28. The cradle 32 preferably extends in a rearward direction from the interior entrance 18 so that it is located outside of the interior. This is useful to position the cradle engaging edge 38 for engagement with the curling iron handle 28 near the center of gravity of the curling iron 24, and more preferably at least slightly behind the center of gravity of the curling iron 24. The term “center of gravity” as use herein with reference to the curling iron 24 is intended to be broadly interpreted as meaning the point along the axial length of the curling iron at which approximately half of the weight of the iron is behind the point and half is in front of the point. Put another way, the curling iron is approximately balanced at the center of gravity. If the engaging edge 38 engages the curling iron 24 at a point too far forward on the curling iron 24, the support 10 may have a tendency to be tipped or otherwise upended. Also, it will be seen that the iron 24 is retained by the support 10 in a generally inclined position, with the barrel portion 26 lower than the handle 28.

[0018] The engaging ribs 36 are arranged in a spaced, radially extending pattern about the circumference of the interior of the cap 20 for relatively firm frictional engagement with the curling iron front grip 34. Distributing the ribs 36 about substantially the entire circumference of the cap 20 has been discovered to be advantageous to prevent the heated barrel portion 26 from contacting any portion of the sidewall 16. For example, the ribs 36 that are proximate the upper portion of the cap 20 interior help to prevent the heated barrel portion 26 from coming into contact with the upper portion 22 of the body 12, should the support 10 for some reason be turned over.

[0019] As best shown by the cutaway of FIG. 2, the engaging ribs 36 preferably include an angled front edge 40 that tapers down in the direction of the front cap 20. These tapered front edges 40 allow for the curling iron front grip 34 to be conveniently guided or self-directed into firm engagement with the ribs 36 as it is inserted into the interior 14 and into the cap 20.

[0020] To speed cooling of the heated barrel portion 26 and to prevent its overheating, the support 10 preferably includes a plurality of vents communicating with the interior 14. In particular, the support body 12 has a first vent 42 in its top portion 22, and a second vent 44 (FIG. 5) in its bottom portion 23. The exemplary vents 42 and 44 are in the general form of a plurality of slots extending along the width of the body 12. Other vent configurations are contemplated, however, including the total absence of vents 42, 44. Also, other invention embodiments contemplate vents in locations other than the body top portion 22 and bottom portion 23. The cap 20, for example, could be vented. Vent placement in at least the top portion 22 and bottom portion 23 is preferred, however, as cooling is generally enhanced by exploiting the tendency of heated air to rise from the heated barrel and exit through the top vent 42 with a simultaneous drawing in of cool ambient air through the bottom vent 44.

[0021] The support 10 preferably further includes at least one and preferably two legs 46 attached to its bottom portion 24. Each of the legs 46 has a foot 48 connected to its base. The legs 46 and feet 48 are configured to support the body 12 on a flat underlying surface such as a counter top. Additionally, each foot 48 preferably includes at least one eyelet 50 as shown in FIG. 5 for receiving a fastener such as a screw or the like, and for locking against the screw head. This advantageously allows the support 10 to be rigidly mounted on a surface to prevent it from moving about. Additionally, the eyelets 50 allow the support 10 to be mounted in a generally vertical direction or other non-horizontal position on an underlying surface. This can be beneficial to reduce clutter on a horizontal work surface such as a hairstylist's workstation.

[0022] Preferably, the legs 46 and feet 48 are configured to receive an electrical cord 52 of the curling iron 24 as shown by FIG. 2. In particular, the foot 48 proximate the cap 20 extends in a generally forward direction from the leg 46, while the foot 48 proximate the interior entrance 18 extends in a generally opposite rearward direction from the leg 46 to which it is attached. This configuration has been found to be useful for storing an electric cord 50 of the curling iron 24 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Generally, the legs 46 and feet 48 form a partial circumference for wrapping the cord 52 around. This can be advantageous to provide a means for securely retaining the curling iron 24 in a stored position in the support 10, as well as for providing convenient storage for the cord 52.

[0023] For example, with the cord 52 wrapped about the legs 46, the curling iron heated barrel portion 26 is relatively securely held in the body interior 14, and the thus assembled curling iron 24 may be packed up for travel or other purposes. Also, the curling iron is not subject to being accidentally removed from the body interior 14 when the cord is tripped over or otherwise disturbed.

[0024] With reference to FIG. 5, the feet 48 preferably have a length FL of at least about ½″ in order to provide sufficient space for wrapping the cord 52, and more preferably at least about ¾″. Also, these preferred length minimums have been discovered to provide for good stability of the support 10. Other dimensions are also contemplated depending on the application. In regards to support stability, it is also preferred that the rear leg 46 proximate to the body entrance 18 be placed closely proximate the body rear edge that defines the entrance 18. With reference to FIG. 2 by way of illustration, the distance D that represents the distance between the rear leg 46 and the rear edge defining the entrance 18. It is preferred that this distance D be less than about 1″. Larger distances D are believed to potentially make the support unstable and prone to tipping in use.

[0025] The preferred legs 46 are also configured to provide the support 10 with a forward tilt. In particular, the preferred legs 46 include a shorter forward leg 46 and a longer rear leg 46. Such a preferred configuration has been discovered to be advantageous to retain the curling iron 24 in the support interior 14. For example, gravity acts on the curling iron 24 to retain it in the forward tilted support 10. Also, the tilted support 10 has ergonomic advantages for using on a countertop or the like when a standing user inserts or withdraws a curling iron 24 from it.

[0026] With reference now drawn to FIG. 2 in particular, it is noted that the exemplary curling iron 24 further includes a clamp 54 for pivotally engaging the barrel 26. The clamp 52 is operated through manipulation of a clamp handle 56. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the clamp handle 56 extends upwards from the curling iron 24. As best shown by FIGS. 2 and 3, the support body top portion 22 is shaped to receive at least a portion of the clamp handle 56.

[0027] The exemplary support, including the body 12, the legs 46, the feet 48, the cradle 32, the cap 20, and the ribs 36 are preferably made of an injection molded plastic selected for factors of cost, durability, aesthetics, and the like. Preferably, the body 12 including the vents 42 and 44, the cap 20, and the ribs 36 is a single, integral piece that is made through one molding process. The front and rear legs 46 are preferably attached to the body 12 using a snap fit attachment configuration. However, other fastening technologies are contemplated, including adhesives, ultrasonic and traditional welding, and threaded fasteners.

[0028] Snap fitting is preferred, however, for reasons of simplicity, cost savings, and the like. With reference to FIG. 2, a snap-fit head 58 is shown protruding from the rear leg 46 through the body sidewall 16 that holds the leg 46 in place. Although not visible in the view of FIG. 2, it will be appreciated that the other front leg 46 nearer to the cap 20 is likewise attached to the body in the same manner. This preferred construction provides for relatively inexpensive manufacture of the support 10, and for fast assembly without the use of tools.

[0029] Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the presently described exemplary attachment embodiments described herein have been discussed for illustration purposes only. Other embodiments are of course possible within the scope of the invention. For example, those knowledgeable in the art will additionally appreciate that some invention embodiments will be of utility that do not include all of the elements of the support 10. Various features are set forth in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hair styling iron support for a styling iron, comprising: a body defining an interior, said body configured to contain at least a portion of the curling iron in said interior with a space defined between the contained portion of the curling iron and said body.
 2. A styling iron support as defined in claim 1 wherein said body has a sidewall with a rear end, a cap connected to said sidewall distal from said rear end, and an entrance defined at said sidewall rear end, and wherein said interior is defined by said sidewall, said cap and said entrance.
 3. A styling iron support as defined in claim 1 further including a curling iron cradle for engaging a portion of the styling iron.
 4. A styling iron support as defined in claim 3 wherein said curling iron cradle is positioned to engage the styling iron at a point outside of said interior.
 5. A styling iron support as defined in claim 3 wherein the iron has a handle with a bottom perimeter and has a center of gravity, and wherein said curling iron cradle has a generally arcuate shaped engaging edge configured to engage a portion of the bottom perimeter of the styling iron handle at a point near to or behind the styling iron center of gravity.
 6. A styling iron support as defined in claim 1 wherein the support further includes at least one curling iron engaging rib in said interior.
 7. A styling iron support as defined in claim 6 wherein the curling iron has a front grip, wherein said body has a front cap, and wherein said at least one curling iron engaging rib comprises a plurality of engaging ribs, said engaging ribs proximate said front cap and configured to engage the curling iron front grip.
 8. A styling iron support as defined in claim 7 wherein said at least one support rib comprises a plurality of said support ribs circumferentially spaced in said interior.
 9. A styling iron support as defined in claim 1 wherein said body further includes at least one vent communicating with said interior.
 10. A styling iron as defined in claim 1 wherein said body has top and bottom portions, each of said body top and bottom portions having a vent for communicating with said interior.
 11. A styling iron support as defined in claim 1 wherein the curling iron has an attached electrical cord, and wherein the support further includes means for storing said cord.
 12. A styling iron support as defined in claim 1 further including at least one leg connected to said body.
 13. A styling iron support as defined in claim 12 wherein said body further includes a front cap and an interior entrance distal from said front cap, wherein said at least one leg comprises a first leg proximate said interior entrance and a second leg nearer to said front cap, a first foot connected to said first leg and extending in a forward direction generally towards said body front cap, and a second foot connected to said second leg and extending in a rearward direction generally towards said interior entrance.
 14. A styling iron support as defined in claim 12 wherein said at least one leg comprises two legs, and wherein each of said two legs has a foot attached thereto, each of said feet having a length of at least about ½″.
 15. A styling iron support as defined in claim 1 further including a plurality of legs connected to said body, said legs having feet, said feet configured for attachment to a substantially vertical surface.
 16. A styling iron support as defined in claim 15 wherein said feet have at least one eyelet.
 17. A styling iron support as defined in claim 1 and further including a front and a rear leg attached to said body, said front leg being shorter than said rear leg.
 18. A styling iron support as defined in claim 1 wherein the curling iron has an attached electrical cord, and wherein the support further includes a plurality of legs connected to said support body, said plurality of legs configured to store the electrical cord.
 19. A styling iron support as defined in claim 1 wherein the curling iron includes a heated barrel portion and wherein said body is configured to substantially enclose the heated barrel portion.
 20. A styling iron support as defined in claim 1 wherein the curling iron has a heated barrel portion with a perimeter and a length, wherein the curling iron has a handle connected to the heated barrel portion, and wherein said body is configured to surround the heated barrel perimeter along substantially its entire length, a space defined between said heated barrel portion and said body, the support further including a cradle for engaging a portion of the curling iron handle at a position outside of said interior.
 21. A styling iron support as defined in claim 1 wherein the curling iron has a heated barrel portion and a clamping member that pivotally engages the barrel portion from above, wherein said body is configured to substantially enclose the heated barrel portion in said interior, and wherein said body has a raised section for containing the curling iron clamping member.
 22. A styling iron support for use with a curling iron that has a heated barrel portion, a handle, a front grip, and an attached electric cord, the support comprising: a body having a sidewall with a rear end, a cap connected to said sidewall distal from said rear end, an entrance defined by said sidewall rear end, said body having a bottom portion and having at least one vent; an interior defined within said body by said sidewall, said cap and said entrance, said interior communicating with said vent, said interior configured to contain the curling iron heated barrel portion; a plurality of legs connected to said body bottom portion, each of said legs having a foot, said plurality of legs and feet configured for storing the curling iron electrical cord; a cradle connected to said body proximate to said entrance and configured to engage the curling iron handle; a plurality of curling iron engaging ribs contained in said interior and configured to engage the curling iron front grip; and, wherein said cradle and said plurality of ribs are configured to engage the curling iron to maintain a space between the curling iron heated barrel portion and said sidewall when the heated barrel portion is contained in said interior. 